One of Central Jersey’s overlooked destinations, Hunterdon County is where outdoor activities can easily fill up a weekend trip. Cross-town trails, antique flea markets, and Colonial-era taverns look over the Delaware River on the west, while farms and vineyards dot the interior, and arboretums and parks make for pet- and family-friendly visits on the east.
Here’s a beginner’s itinerary for visiting Hunterdon County this season.
Where to Stay
Stockton Inn Boutique Hotel, a 300-year-old property, still serves as Stockton’s anchor and makes the case for staying in town. This nine-room pet-friendly hotel has two new adjacent “carriage houses” and two new on-site restaurants and bars run by globally-trained Executive Chef Bob Truitt and New York City tiki bar legend, Brian Miller.
The property is designed for experiencing luxurious comfort and European style. Think: king-sized beds with plush linens, fireplaces, soaking tubs, walk-in showers with robes, sandy color schemes, natural wood and stone furnishings. There’s also a speakeasy-style guests-only lounge, an extensive outdoor covered patio with firepits and bar, a mini bocce court, plus a food hall across the street, Stockton Market.
Where to Eat & Drink
It’s not just Sergeantsville Inn winning over locals and restaurant critics alike in Hunterdon County. The county is also home to a restaurant owned by Saveur magazine’s founding food editor and former test kitchen director. It’s called Canal House Station in Clifton, where Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer host communal-style, seasonally inspired five-course Sunday dinners. Book your seat A.S.A.P. as USA Today named Canal House Station as one of the Best Restaurants of 2025.
Art, wine, and food come together at Finnbar thanks to the vision of owners Cal Peternell, chef and writer, and Ethan Stuart, artist and general manager. This Frenchtown spot blends art and hospitality, showcasing local artists on its restaurant walls, welcoming visitors from ArtYard up the road for a pre- or post-show bite, and sharing profits with nearby non-profit Studio Route 29. Expect globally-inspired good-for-you food and drink, which can be enjoyed at the bar or in the dining room.
Community-minded programming and farm-to-table culinary experiences are just two reasons to visit The Ciderhouse at Ironbound Farm in Asbury. Ironbound is a regenerative farm and incubator, on-site cidery, winery, market, restaurant (with an indoor tasting menu), and animal farm that supports New Jersey’s agricultural ecosystem through 579 farm trail and second-chance hiring practices. In the fall, weekend food trucks park out in the pavilion, musicians show up, and the fire pits light up. And with several indoor/outdoor spaces, there isn’t a bad seat to snag.
Hunterdon County’s craft beverage scene is also a trip in itself with nine breweries, two cideries, and six vineyards, including Unionville Vineyards and Beneduce Vineyards, part of the Jersey Winemakers Co-Op “Open Source” wine project.
Where to Shop
If picturesque small towns with charming main streets are your vibe, Hunterdon County won’t disappoint. Bridge Street in Frenchtown should include vinyl shopping at Blue Raven Records, picking up outdoor gear at Sunbeam General Store, and gift shopping at Modern Love.
Antique shop lovers should spend an afternoon on Union Street in Lambertville, meandering the aisles of must-visit stores like A Touch of the Past Antiques, Midiri Antiques, and the People’s Center.
Where to Explore Outside
Yes, you could take the family on a quintessential fall hayride through a farm, but how about a nature walk or bike ride through the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal State Park instead? While the towpath is 70 continuous miles of gravel path, a beginner-friendly trail between Stockton and Lambertville is roughly four miles each way. It features photo-op pit stops like a graffiti-covered train car, turtles sunbathing on logs, lush gardens of private home cottages, falling leaves, and bird spotting.
Alisha Miranda is a Philadelphia-based journalist covering people and hospitality (culture, food, drink, and travel). In 2023, she was part of the James Beard Journalism Awards voting body and in 2025, she was honored as Freelance Journalist of the Year by Philadelphia's oldest press club. She is a regular contributor to Resy, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Full Pour, The Drink Nation, Edible Philly, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, and others. You can also listen to her on air bridging News and Culture as a reporter, producer, and co-host for PhillyCAM’s Block by Block & Around the Block and City Cast Philly. Follow her online at www.alishainthe.biz and @alishainthebiz.
